The only reason I had one connected to my HR10-250 was to avoid the nag screen that would eventually start popping up every day. Will that not happen on the HR20?

I like the CID on the HR20. However, we have two, one in a "mother-in-law" room that has its own phone number. If possible, I'd like to hook that HR20 to that room's phone line rather than having it plugged into the other line as I currently do. My only concern is, will D* somehow see that there are two different phone numbers attached to receivers on this account, and claim they aren't at the same address? I'd thought that was one way D* enforced that rule, and a major reason they required that a phone line be attached.

The only reason I had one connected to my HR10-250 was to avoid the nag screen that would eventually start popping up every day. Will that not happen on the HR20?

I like the CID on the HR20. However, we have two, one in a "mother-in-law" room that has its own phone number. If possible, I'd like to hook that HR20 to that room's phone line rather than having it plugged into the other line as I currently do. My only concern is, will D* somehow see that there are two different phone numbers attached to receivers on this account, and claim they aren't at the same address? I'd thought that was one way D* enforced that rule, and a major reason they required that a phone line be attached.

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I don't think you get the nag screen on the HR20 but I am not certain. The HR20 does not require a phone number input during initial setup so I don't think it matters about the line. If it did matter, caller ID can be blocked or turned off. If you still are concerned about phone number ID, put a splitter (one that has inputs for line1 and line2) in the phone jack of that room and connect the HR20 to the desired input of the splitter.

"In fact, we can't even activate the DVR service for you unless a phone line is connected to your DVR."

I had my DirecTV service connected last Friday with the HR20-700 and I have yet to hook-up a phone line to the receiver. I guess they were able to activate my DVR without a phone line because I've recorded several programs since then.

When I asked the installer if I needed to have a phone line connected he smiled, looked at me, "no" was all he said.

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I have had D* for 6 years, never had a landline from day 1, and all my receivers have always worked fine and the DVR works fine as well. We have always orderd PPV online if we want it.

No, if you don't order PPV and don't care about CID functions, it is not necessary.

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What about sports packages and blackout restrictions? In the past, DirecTV said the phone line was required to verify the location of the receiver for blackout compliance.

My HDR20 modem went bad yesterday in the same manner as the other poster: in a half-open mode. When I connect my receiver to the wall jack my line level goes way down. If I'm talking on the phone the volume goes down and I can here static on the line. If I leave the receiver connected and hang up, eventually service is interrupted until I disconnect the HDR20 from the wall jack. The wall jack is fine. I tested that with another phone and it doesn't exhibit the behavior of the HDR20.

I'll wait on the replacement as long as my sports packages don't get interrupted.

I have had superfan and sunday ticket for two years and have never had a phone line hooked up, and I have had no problems. I am not sure about regional networks, but I will venture a guess that blackouts are based on where your reciever is registeredand coded in D**'s system rather than by an area code phone connection.

The HR20 does not need a phone line. All updates are done via the SAT's only.

Your unit should have updated the newest software by itself after running for a few minutes. It will reset itself and download the new software.

Any time there is a update DirecTV will force the unit to download the software. That normally will happen in the middle of the night.

But to force a download for CE's you need to do a menu restart recorder. When the blue welcome DirecTV screens comes up press 02468. A few seconds later you will get a screen that says found new software and it will start downloading.

The HR20 does not need a phone line. All updates are done via the SAT's only.

Your unit should have updated the newest software by itself after running for a few minutes. It will reset itself and download the new software.

Any time there is a update DirecTV will force the unit to download the software. That normally will happen in the middle of the night.

But to force a download for CE's you need to do a menu restart recorder. When the blue welcome DirecTV screens comes up press 02468. A few seconds later you will get a screen that says found new software and it will start downloading.

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I tried a reset, but the unit is not doing any update. It still shows the update from August. The only reason I want it is I saw all the talk about the new update with the on-demand stuff.

Most people are using cellular since it is less money and wireless. To punish the customer for making a good economic decision is silly. DirecTV would probably get more churn if they penalized the customer for not having a wired line.

ONE of the added benefits of having the phone line connected = Lightning strikes that hit the telco equipment will find your phones AND your DTV equipment if the phone line is connected.
AND another that I expect will happen. If you have a wire protection plan with the phone company and they roll a tech (like me) and discover the problem is with the DTV rig and not the lines they service...they my ding you for an unnecessary (uncovered) service call.
CID is cool.
If you order the PPV with a remote it generates a PPV event on one TV / IRD but if you use the internet, the event plays on all receivers. If you call them it costs...$5.00?

I don't think you get the nag screen on the HR20 but I am not certain. The HR20 does not require a phone number input during initial setup so I don't think it matters about the line. If it did matter, caller ID can be blocked or turned off. If you still are concerned about phone number ID, put a splitter (one that has inputs for line1 and line2) in the phone jack of that room and connect the HR20 to the desired input of the splitter.

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That is true, you do not get the nag screen on the HR20. now if i could just get rid of that on my Hughes tivo...i'd be just fine....but as lots of others have said, i think i would rather keep it till it dies on me!

The main reason to connect a DVR to the phone line is so you can “share” your viewing habits with D*, their advertisers, etc.
This is a revenue stream for them.
Your contract requires you to keep your DVR plugged into a phone line however in the fine print of the contact there is an option to opt out of some of their personal data collection if you follow a series of steps.

That is true, you do not get the nag screen on the HR20. now if i could just get rid of that on my Hughes tivo...i'd be just fine....but as lots of others have said, i think i would rather keep it till it dies on me!

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fredandbetty,
I don't want to break any rules here, just know it is possible to get rid of the nag messages on your HR10-250 with a Google search and a little work.